ES2818250T3 - Procedures for the exchange of connection capacity - Google Patents

Abstract

A communication method in a wireless communication network, comprising: transmitting, by means of a first wireless device (304), a discovery message seeking a second wireless device (302) to provide a service (306, 312); receiving, by the first wireless device (304), a discovery response message from the second wireless device (302) that provides information (310) about the service (306, 312); deciding, based on the information (310), whether to proceed to obtain the service (306, 312) from the second wireless device (302), or whether to obtain additional information (310) about the service (306, 312); transmit, via the first wireless device (304), a service discovery message to the second wireless device (302) as part of a detailed service discovery process, to obtain additional information (310) about the service (306, 312) provided by the second device (302) when the first wireless device decides to obtain additional information; receiving, by the first wireless device (304), a service discovery response message from the second wireless device (302) as part of the detailed service discovery process, which provides additional information (310) about the service (306, 312); determining, by means of the first wireless device (304), whether to proceed with obtaining the service (306, 312) based on, at least in part, the additional information (310); transmit (805), by means of the first wireless device (304), a connection capacity request message to the second wireless device (302), requesting connection capacity information from the second wireless device (302) when it is determined to proceed to obtain the service; and receiving (810), via the first wireless device (304), a connection capability response message from the second wireless device (302), indicating one or more communication protocols available to provide the service (306, 312) to the first wireless device (304).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Procedures for the exchange of connection capacity

COUNTRYSIDE

[0001] Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communications and more particularly to methods and apparatus for a connection capability exchange.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In many telecommunications systems, communication networks are used to exchange messages between several interacting spatially separate devices. Networks can be classified according to geographic scope, which could be, for example, a metropolitan area, a local area, or a personal area. Such networks can be designated, respectively, as a wide area network (WAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), local area network (LAN), or personal area network (PAN). Networks also differ according to the routing / switching technique used to interconnect the various network nodes and devices (e.g. circuit switched vs. packet switching), the type of physical media used for transmission (e.g. wired vs. wireless) and the set of communication protocols used (for example, the Internet protocol suite, SONET (synchronous optical networks), Ethernet, etc.).

[0003] Wireless networks are often preferred when the network elements are mobile and therefore have dynamic connectivity needs, or if the network architecture is formed in an ad-hoo, rather than a fixed, topology. Wireless networks employ intangible physical media in an unguided propagation mode, using electromagnetic waves in the radio, microwave, infrared, optical frequency bands, etc. Wireless networks advantageously facilitate user mobility and rapid deployment in the field compared to fixed wired networks.

[0004] Devices on a wireless network can communicate using various protocols. Each of the different protocols can have its own benefits, which can be based, at least in part, on the information that is exchanged. Also, the devices within the wireless network may use different protocols in the process of discovering or connecting to the devices within the wireless network. Thus, non-transient computer-readable systems, procedures and media are needed to optimize discovery and connection processes in wireless networks.

[0005] WO 2007/057758 A2 discloses a system and method for efficiently enabling local security connectivity between electronic devices through multiple carriers. The electronic devices are configured to announce, through each carrier, their respective configuration parameters for each carrier. After a connection between the electronic devices has been established through a first carrier, the two electronic devices use the first carrier to establish connections through the other carriers using the configuration parameters included in the announcements and announced through the first carrier. Shared keys are established for the other carriers using keys derived from the first shared key or using the first secure connection as an out-of-band channel. The present invention also provides for the creation of an ad hoc WLAN connection once a Sluetooth connection has been established.

[0006] Document 2011/082940 A1 discloses a procedure and device for peer-to-peer communications. The procedure includes communicating the capabilities of one device to another device or network component. Peer-to-peer communication is established based on at least one of the device's capabilities. The method may also include the use of a control point or access point to transmit the capabilities of the device to another device.

[0007] Document WO 2010/122369 A1 describes a method that may include receiving, by means of an intermediary station in a wireless network, an intermediary activation request message from a plurality of client stations, where the activation request messages Broker numbers indicate whether the client stations support a plurality of wireless network protocols. The method may also include collecting wireless interconnection capabilities for client stations based on received broker activation request messages. The method may also include sending an interconnection capability message to at least one of the client stations, where the network capability message indicates identifiers of client stations of the plurality of client stations that are capable of communicating with the at least one station. client over at least one of the wireless network protocols indicated by the broker activation request message, where the capability response message is based on the collected wireless interconnect capabilities and the received capability request message.

[0008] WO 2012/040567 A1 discloses software products for the discovery of source or collector devices, and their capabilities, before establishing a link such as a configuration link Direct Link Tunneling (TDLS). The established link can be used in different applications, such as a Wi-Fi viewing session with the desired source or collector device. The proposed computer program product can also be applied to devices that use peer-to-peer communication.

BRIEF EXPLANATION

[0009] The invention is defined in the independent claims. Various implementations of systems, procedures, and devices within the scope of the appended claims each have several aspects, none of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes described herein. Some salient features are described herein, without limiting the scope of the appended claims.

The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and in the following description. Other features, aspects, and advantages will be apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. Note that the relative dimensions in the figures below may not be drawn to scale.

[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a communication method in a wireless communication network. The method includes transmitting, via a first wireless device, a connection capability request message to a second wireless device requesting connection capability information from the second wireless device. The method further includes receiving, by the first wireless device, a reconnectivity response message from the second wireless device indicating one or more communication protocols available to provide a service to the first wireless device. In some aspects, the method further includes selecting, by the first wireless device, based on, at least in part, the connectability response message, a communication protocol to obtain the service of the second wireless device.

Another aspect provides an apparatus configured for communication in a wireless communication network. The apparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit a connectability request message to a second wireless device requesting connectability information from the second wireless device. The apparatus further includes a receiver configured to receive a connectability response message from the second wireless device indicating one or more communication protocols available to provide a service to the first wireless device. In some aspects, the apparatus further includes a processor configured to select based on, at least in part, the connectability response message, a communication protocol to obtain the service of the second wireless device.

Another aspect provides another apparatus for communication in a wireless communication network. The apparatus includes means for transmitting a connectivity request message to a second wireless device requesting connectivity information from the second wireless device. The apparatus further includes means for receiving a connectability response message from the second wireless device indicating one or more communication protocols available to provide a service to the first wireless device. In some aspects, the apparatus further includes means for selecting based on, at least in part, the connectability response message, a communication protocol for obtaining the service of the second wireless device.

[0014] Another aspect provides a non-transient computer-readable medium. The medium includes code that, when executed, performs a communication procedure in a wireless communication network. The method includes transmitting, via a first wireless device, a connection capability request message to a second wireless device requesting connection capability information from the second wireless device. The method further includes receiving, by the first wireless device, a reconnectivity response message from the second wireless device indicating one or more communication protocols available to provide a service to the first wireless device. In some aspects, the method further includes selecting, by the first wireless device, based on, at least in part, the connectability response message, a communication protocol to obtain the service of the second wireless device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system in which aspects of the present disclosure may be employed.

FIG. 2 illustrates various components that can be used in a wireless device that can be used in the wireless communication system of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a call flow diagram for an exemplary message exchange between a provider device and a subscriber device, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a table of discovery mechanisms and protocols that can be used in the exemplary message exchange of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram representation of the exemplary message exchange of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary structure of a connection capability exchange message, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates another call flow diagram for an exemplary message exchange between a provider device and a subscriber device, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary communication method in a wireless communication network, in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Hereinafter, various aspects of the novel systems, apparatus, and procedures are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the teachings of this disclosure can be carried out in many different ways and should not be construed as being limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure is comprehensive and complete, and fully conveys the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Based on the teachings herein, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to encompass any aspect of the novel systems, apparatus, and procedures disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of, or in combination with any other aspect of the invention. For example, an apparatus can be implemented, or a method can be practiced, using any number of the aspects discussed herein. Furthermore, the scope of the invention is intended to encompass such an apparatus or method that is carried out using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality, in addition or alternative to the various aspects of the invention set forth in the present document. It should be understood that any aspect disclosed herein can be realized by one or more elements of a claim.

Although particular aspects are described herein, many variations and permutations of these aspects are within the scope of the disclosure. Although some benefits and advantages of preferred features are mentioned, the scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited to particular benefits, uses, or objectives. Rather, aspects of the disclosure are intended to be broadly applicable to different wireless technologies, system configurations, networks, and transmission protocols, some of which are illustrated by way of example in the figures and in the following description of preferred aspects. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the disclosure, rather than limiting, the scope of the disclosure being defined by the appended and equivalent claims.

[0018] Wireless network technologies can include various types of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN). A wireless local area network (WLAN) can be used to interconnect nearby devices with each other, using widely used interconnection protocols. The various aspects described in this document can be applied to any communication standard, such as Wi-Fi or, more generally, to any element of the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless protocols. Furthermore, the various aspects described in this document can be applied additionally or alternatively to Bluetooth communication protocols and, in general, to any member of the IEEE 802.15 family of wireless protocols. Furthermore, the various aspects described in this document may be applied additionally or alternatively to Near Field Communication (NFC) protocols, such as the ISO / IEC 14443 or ISO / IEC 18000-3 protocols.

[0019] In some aspects, wireless signals can be transmitted in accordance with a high-efficiency 802.11 protocol using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communications, direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) communications, a combination of communications OFDM and DSSS, or other schemes.

[0020] In some implementations, a WLAN includes various devices that are the components that access the wireless network. For example, there may be two types of devices: access points ("APs") and clients (also called stations (STA) and, in the singular, station (STA)). In general, one AP serves as a hub or base station for the WLAN, and one S Ta serves as the user of the WLAN. For example, an STA can be a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, and so on. In one example, an STA connects to an AP over a Wi-Fi compatible wireless link (for example, an IEEE 802.11 protocol, such as 802.11ax) for general connectivity to the Internet or other wide area networks. In some implementations, an STA can also be used as an AP.

The techniques described herein can be used in various broadband wireless communication systems, including communication systems that are based on an orthogonal multiplexing scheme. Examples of such communication systems include spatial division multiple access (SDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), single frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems. carrier (SC-FDMA), etc. An SDMA system can use sufficiently different addresses to simultaneously transmit data belonging to multiple user terminals. A TDMA system can allow multiple user terminals to share the same frequency channel by dividing the transmission signal into different time slots, each time slot being assigned to a different user terminal. A TDMA system can implement a Global System for Mobile (GSM) or some other standards known in the art. An OFDMA system uses orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), which is a modulation technique that divides the overall system bandwidth into multiple orthogonal subcarriers. These subcarriers can also be called tones, cells, etc. With OFDM, each subcarrier can be modulated with data independently. An OFDM system may implement the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard or some other standard known in the art. An SC-FDMA system can use interleaved FDMA (IFDMA) to transmit on subcarriers that are spread across the system bandwidth, localized FDMA (LFDMA) to transmit on a block of adjacent subcarriers, or enhanced FDMA (EFDMA) to transmit in multiple adjacent subcarrier blocks. In general, modulation symbols are sent in the frequency domain with OFDM and in the time domain with SC-FDMA. An SC-FDMA system can implement the 3GPP-LTE (Long-Term Evolution of Third Generation Collaboration Project) standard or other standards.

[0022] The teachings herein can be incorporated into (eg, implemented in or performed by) a variety of wired or wireless devices (eg, nodes). In some aspects, a wireless node implemented in accordance with the teachings herein may comprise an access point or an access terminal.

[0023] An Access Point ("AP") may comprise, be implemented as or be known as a Node B, a Radio Network Controller ("RNC"), an eNodeB, a Base Station Controller ("BSC"), a base transceiver station ("BTS"), a base station ("BS"), a transceiver function ("TF"), a radio router, a radio transceiver, a Basic Service Set ("BSS"), a Extended Service Set ("ESS"), a Radio Base Station ("RBS"), or some other terminology.

[0024] A station ("STA") can also comprise, be implemented as or known as a user terminal, an access terminal ("AT"), a subscriber station, a subscriber unit, a mobile station, a station remote, remote terminal, user agent, user device, user equipment, or some other terminology. In some implementations, an access terminal may comprise a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol ("SIP") phone, a wireless local loop station ("WLL"), a personal digital assistant ( "PDA"), a wireless capable handheld device, or some other suitable processing device connected to a wireless modem. Accordingly, one or more aspects disclosed herein may be incorporated into a telephone (eg, a cell phone or a smartphone), a computer (eg, a laptop), a portable communication device, a headset. , a portable computing device (for example, a personal data assistant), an entertainment device (for example, a music or video device or a satellite radio), a gaming device or system, a gaming system device global positioning or any other suitable device that is configured to communicate over a wireless medium.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 100 in which aspects of the present disclosure may be employed. The wireless communication system 100 may operate in accordance with a wireless standard, for example any one of the 802.11 family of standards. Wireless communication system 100 may include an AP 104, which communicates with multiple STAs. For example, as illustrated, the AP 104 may communicate with the STA 106A, 106B, and 106C, but may not be in communication with the STA 106D or 106E (where they may all be collectively referred to herein as "STA 106" or individually "STA 106"). In some aspects, STAs 106A, 106B, and 106C may be "associated" with AP 104, while STAs 106D and 106E may not.

[0026] A variety of processes and procedures can be used for transmissions in the wireless communication system 100 between the AP 104 and the STA 106. For example, signals can be transmitted and received between the AP 104 and the STA 106 in accordance with OFDM / OFDMA techniques. If this is the case, the wireless communication system 100 may be referred to as an OFDM / OFDMA system. Alternatively, signals can be transmitted and received between the AP 104 and the STAs 106 according to CDMA techniques. If this is the case, the wireless communication system 100 may be referred to as a CDMA system.

[0027] A communication link that facilitates transmission from the AP 104 to one or more of the STA 106 can be referred to as a downlink (DL) 108, and a communication link that facilitates transmission from one or more of the STAs 106 to the AP 104 may be referred to as an uplink (UL) 110. Alternatively, a downlink 108 may be referred to as a link forward or forward channel, and an uplink 110 may be referred to as a reverse link or reverse channel.

[0028] The AP 104 can provide wireless communication coverage in a basic service area (BSA) 102. The AP 104, together with the STA 106 associated with the AP 104 and that use the AP 104 for communication, can be referred to as an ensemble. basic services (BSS). It should be noted that the wireless communication system 100 may not have a central AP 104, but instead may function as a peer-to-peer (P2P) network between the STAs 106. Consequently, at least some of the functions of the AP 104 described herein may alternatively be realized by one or more of the STAs 106. For example, the STA 106D may be connected to the STA 106B via a P2P network connection.

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates various components that can be used in a wireless device 202 that can be used in the wireless communication system 100. The wireless device 202 is an example of a device that can be configured to implement the various procedures described herein. For example, wireless device 202 may comprise AP 104 or one of STAs 106.

Wireless device 202 may include an electronic hardware processor 204 that controls the operation of wireless device 202. Processor 204 may also be referred to as a central processing unit (CPU). Memory 206, which may include both read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM), provides instructions and data to processor 204. A portion of memory 206 may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). . Processor 204 typically performs arithmetic and logic operations based on program instructions stored within memory 206. Instructions in memory 206 can be executed to implement the procedures described herein.

Processor 204 may comprise, or be a component of, a processing system implemented with one or more processors. The one or more processors can be implemented with any combination of general - purpose microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSP), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLD), controllers, state machines , gate logic, discrete hardware components, finite state machines with dedicated hardware, or any other suitable entity that can perform calculations or other information manipulations.

The processing system may also include machine-readable media for storing software. Software will be interpreted broadly as meaning any type of instructions, regardless of whether it is called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. The instructions can include code (for example, in source code format, in binary code format, in executable code format, or in any other suitable code format). The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the processing system to perform the various functions described herein.

[0033] Wireless device 202 may also include housing 208 that may include transmitter 210 and receiver 212 to allow transmission and reception of data between wireless device 202 and a remote location. Transmitter 210 and receiver 212 can be combined into one transceiver 214. An antenna 216 can be attached to housing 208 and electrically coupled to transceiver 214. Wireless device 202 can also include (not shown) multiple transmitters, multiple receivers, multiple transceivers and / or multiple antennas, which can be used, for example, during multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communications.

The wireless device 202 may also include a signal detector 218 that can be used to detect and quantify the level of signals received by the transceiver 214. The signal detector 218 can detect such signals as total energy, energy per subcarrier per symbol, power spectral density and other signals. Wireless device 202 may also include a digital signal processor (DSP) 220 for use in signal processing. DSP 220 may be configured to generate a unit of data for transmission. In some aspects, the data unit may comprise a PLCP protocol data unit (PPDU). In some respects, the PPDU is called a packet.

[0035] Wireless device 202 may further comprise a user interface 222 in some respects. User interface 222 may comprise a keyboard, microphone, speaker, and / or display device. User interface 222 can include any element or component that transmits information to a user of wireless device 202 and / or receives input from the user.

[0036] The various components of the wireless device 202 can be coupled together via a bus system 226. The bus system 226 can include a data bus, for example, as well as a power bus, a control signal bus and a status signal bus, in addition to the data bus. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the components of the wireless device 202 can be coupled to each other or accept or provide inputs to each other using some other mechanism.

Although a number of independent components are illustrated in FIG. 2, those skilled in the art will recognize that one or more of the components can be combined or implemented in common. For example, processor 204 can be used to implement not only the functionality described above with respect to processor 204, but also to implement functionality described above with respect to signal detector 218 and / or DSP 220. In addition, each of the components illustrated in FIG. 2 can be implemented using a plurality of independent elements.

[0038] As discussed above, wireless device 202 can comprise an AP 104 or an STA 106, and can be used to transmit and / or receive communications. Communications exchanged between devices in a wireless network can include data units that can comprise packets or frames. In some aspects, the data units may include data frames, control frames, and / or management frames. Data frames can be used to transmit data from one AP and / or STA to other APs and / or STAs. Control frames can be used in conjunction with data frames to perform various operations and to reliably supply data (e.g., data acknowledgment, AP polling, area clearing operations, channel acquisition, carrier detection maintenance, etc.). Management frames can be used in various monitoring functions (eg, joining and exiting wireless networks, etc.).

[0039] Certain aspects of the present disclosure support allowing APs 104 to transmit one or more data messages to STAs 106 in ways optimized to improve efficiency. In some embodiments, STAs 106 can access the wireless medium in a more efficient manner, such as requesting and receiving tune-up exchange messages. Based on the connection capacity exchange messages, STAs 106 can select an optimal connection protocol to receive a service, thus improving the user experience.

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a call flow diagram for an exemplary message exchange 300 between a provider device 302 and a subscriber device 304, in accordance with one embodiment. The provider device 302 or the subscriber device 304 can be any one of the STA 106A-E or the AP 104 of FIG. 1. Provider device 302 may also be referred to as publisher device or advertiser device, as it may publish or advertise information about a service 306 that it may provide to subscriber device 304. Subscriber device 304 may also be referred to as search device, as it may be a device searching for a service 312 from provider device 302. In some respects, service 306 may have a more generic scope than service 312. For example, service 306 provided by provider device 302 may comprise a range of available services (e.g. example, a range of printing capabilities of a printer), and the service 312 may comprise a service that the subscriber device 304 is seeking to obtain at the time of the exchange of messages 300 (for example, a specific document that the subscriber device 304 is trying to print and associated print parameters). The exchange of messages 300 may occur in a wireless communication environment, such as the wireless communication system 100 of FIG. 1 or some other wireless communication environment.

[0041] In various embodiments, the provider device 302 is configured to provide a service 306 to other devices. For example, service 306 may comprise printing paper, providing a peripheral device with a connection to a computer, or playing music. In some aspects, the provider device 302 may use an application service platform (ASP) 308 to provide service 306 to one or more devices, such as the subscriber device 304. According to these aspects, the provider device 302 can provide information 310 about service 306 through ASP 308. The level of detail provided about service 306 may vary, which may be based, at least in part, on a communication protocol used as part of message exchange 300.

In some aspects, the subscriber device 304 can be configured to search for a service 312 from another device by using an ASP 314. According to these aspects, the subscriber device 304 can provide information 316 about the service 312 to the ASP. 314. For example, the subscriber device 304 may provide information 316 indicating that the subscriber device 304 is searching for another device that is capable of printing in color, connecting a wireless mouse, or playing an MP4 file. The level of detail provided about the service 312 sought may vary, which may be based, at least in part, on a communication protocol used as part of the message exchange 300.

[0043] ASP 308 may reside within provider device 302 as computer program code. Similarly, ASP 314 may reside in subscriber device 304 as computer program code. For example, ASP 308 or 314 may reside within memory 206 of wireless device 202 of FIG. 2, and can be executed by processor 204. In various aspects, ASP 308 or 314 can use multiple service discovery mechanisms to configure a connection topology between provider device 302 and subscriber device 304 so that services 306, 312 run service protocols over the connection. For example, the ASP 308 or 314 may utilize one or more communication or discovery mechanisms, such as via P2P communication, Neighbor Awareness Interconnect ("NAN"), Bluetooth Low Energy Communication ("BT- LE "), NFC or an" infrastructure "communication. The P2P connection it may refer to a Wi-Fi communication link between devices that are not associated with a network (for example, they are not associated with the AP 104). In some aspects, an infrastructure mechanism may refer to a connection from one STA 106 to another through an associated AP 104. In some respects, ASP 308 or 314 may be the Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) version 2.0 of ASP.

[0044] As illustrated, message exchange 300 involves a service discovery phase 322 (illustrated as "Search for service"). As part of the service discovery phase 322, subscriber device 304 may attempt to identify a provider for service 312. In some aspects, a message attempting to identify a provider for service 312 can be considered a discovery message. The discovery message can be transmitted over the network, in some respects. For example, the subscriber device 304 may initiate or otherwise perform a service discovery protocol by transmitting information about the service 312. This information may be transmitted via P2P, NAN, BT-LE, NFC, or infrastructure mechanisms. In various embodiments, the transmission can be broadcast or multicast. The level of information 316 provided about service 312 may vary depending on the discovery mechanism used. After information 316 about service 312 is transmitted, provider device 302 can receive and process the transmitted information. Based on receiving and processing the information 316, the provider device 302 may transmit information 310 about the service 306. In some respects, the transmitted information 310, or a decision on whether to transmit the information 310, may be based, at least in part , in a comparison of the information 316 provided about the service 312 that the subscriber device 304 is searching for with information 310 about the service 306 available to the provider device 302. In one embodiment, the transmitted information may comprise a service advertisement. In some aspects, the order of the preceding steps may be reversed, or the provider device 302 may otherwise announce information 310 about the service 306 before the subscriber device 304 requests the information 310. Similarly to the above, the level Information provided about the 306 service may vary depending on the discovery mechanism used. In some aspects, the information 310 can be included in a discovery response message.

[0045] After this information 310 is transmitted, it can be received and processed by the subscriber device 304. Based on this information, the subscriber device 304 can decide whether to proceed to obtain the service 306 from the provider device 302 or to obtain additional information. 310 about service 306. In some respects, these determinations may be based, at least in part, on a comparison of information 310 obtained about service 306 provided by provider device 302 and service 312 searched by subscriber device 304.

[0046] As illustrated, after the service discovery phase 322, the message exchange 300 moves to a detailed service discovery phase 324. As part of the detailed service discovery phase 324, the subscriber device 304 may obtain additional information 310 about the service 306 provided by the provider device 302. For example, the subscriber device 304 may have only determined that the service 306 provided by the provider device 302 is capable of printing, but may benefit from having additional information about the provider device. service 306. In one embodiment, this information 310 may comprise indications of whether service 306 is capable of color printing, what image resolutions or quality levels are available, available paper sizes, and so on. The subscriber device 304 and the provider device 302 may exchange messages as part of the detailed service discovery phase 324 accordingly, which may depend on the service 306 or 312 or the communication protocol used. Thereafter, the subscriber device 304 can determine whether to proceed to obtain the service 306. In various respects, this determination may be based, at least in part, on whether the detailed information 310 obtained about the service 306 indicates that the service 306 is sufficient. to provide the service 312 that the subscriber device 304 is seeking.

[0047] As illustrated, after the detailed service discovery phase 324, the message exchange 300 moves to a connection capacity exchange phase 326. As part of the connection capacity exchange phase 326, the device Subscriber 304 may transmit a request regarding information about the various connection protocols available on provider device 302 to provide service 306. Upon receiving this request, provider device 302 can generate a response containing indications of available connection protocols to provide service 306 to subscriber device 304. This response can be generated and transmitted to subscriber device 304, which can process the response to determine which of the available protocols to use. This determination may be based, at least in part, on the available connection protocols and service 312 that the subscribing device is seeking to obtain. For example, subscriber device 304 may determine that provider device 302 is capable of providing service 306 through a P2P or NAN connection protocol. Subscriber device 304 can then determine whether the P2P or NAN connection is better for receiving the service 312 (eg, one may be faster to provide the requested service 312).

[0048] Available connection protocols can provide communication or connection in Internet Protocol (IP) networks, as well as in non-IP networks. For example, the connection protocol can comprise P2P groups that support either IP or non-IP P2P networks. In some aspects, one of the connection protocols available to provide or receive service 306 or 312 may comprise an existing Wi-Fi infrastructure. As a non-limiting example of a benefit of using the connection capacity exchange phase 326, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 can conclusively switch from executing service discovery protocols. to establish a connection between the devices. As another non-limiting example of a benefit of using the connection capacity exchange phase 326, the subscriber device 304 may select an optimal connection protocol to obtain service 306, 312 from the provider device 302.

As illustrated, after the connection capacity exchange phase 326, the message exchange 300 proceeds to a connection configuration phase 328. As part of the connection configuration phase 328, the provider device 302 and Subscriber device 304 may use a selected connection protocol to initiate the process of providing or receiving service 306 or 312. The connection setup phase 328 may comprise authentication, security, association, or other mechanisms that can be used to initiate provision or 306 or 312 service reception.

[0050] As illustrated, after the connection setup phase 328, the message exchange 300 proceeds to a service session phase 330 (illustrated as "ASP Session / Service Session"). As part of the service session phase 330, the subscriber device 304 may receive the service 306 provided by the provider device 302. For example, the service session phase 330 may comprise the exchange of data and protocol specific information from service. This information may include, for example, Internet protocol addresses, destination service access points, protocol information (for example, TCP or UDP). In some aspects, as part of the service session phase 330, ASP 308 or 314 may establish and manage a session between services 306 and 312.

Although it is illustrated that a message exchange 300 occurs between a provider device 302 and a subscriber device 304, more provider devices 302 or subscriber devices 304 may be used. For example, in some respects, provider device 302 it may provide service 306 to more than one subscriber device 304. Additionally or alternatively, subscriber device 304 may obtain, or otherwise attempt to obtain, service 312 from more than one provider device 302.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the subscriber device 304 may be the STA 106D of FIG. 1 (illustrated as a laptop), and the provider device 302 may be the STA 106B (illustrated as a printer). In accordance with this embodiment, the STA 106D may perform the service discovery phase 322 to discover the presence of a device that is capable of printing, such as the STA 106B. During the service discovery phase 322, the STA 106D may discover other devices capable of printing. Then, during the detailed service discovery phase 324, the STA 106D can obtain additional information about the impression provided by the STA 106B, or any other device discovered during the service discovery phase 322. The information obtained during the phase Detailed Service Discovery 324 can be used to determine if the STA 106B, or any of the other discovered devices, is capable of printing the specific job that the STA 106D is trying to print (for example, a 235 color .pdf document pages, stapled, on 8.5 "x 11" standard paper. If no device is able to print the job, then the message exchange 300 may end. If a device is capable of printing the job (ie, providing the requested service), then the STA 106D can obtain additional information about the various connection protocols available to obtain the service from the STA 106B or other discovered devices. In various embodiments, this information can be obtained through the connection capacity exchange phase 326. Once the STA 106D has information about all available connection protocols, the STA 106D can determine which connection protocol use to print the task. In some aspects, this determination may be based on which of the available protocols provides the fastest connection between STA 106D and STA 106B, which may be based on the fact that STA 106D is attempting to print a large file. Once the STA 106D selects the connection protocol it will use, the STA 106D and 106B can connect through the connection setup phase 328. Later, the STA 106B can print the task for the STA 106D during the session phase. service 330.

[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates a table 400 of discovery mechanisms and protocols that may be used in the exchange of 300 exemplary messages of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment. As illustrated, the service discovery phase 322, the detailed service discovery phase 324, the connection capability exchange phase 326, and the connection configuration phase 328 can all be considered pre-association phases 410. During, or as As a result of the connection setup phase 328, an association may occur, for example, between the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304, or between one or both of the provider device 302 and an AP 104, or the subscriber device 304 and the AP 104. Therefore, the service session phase 330 is illustrated as a subsequent association phase 420.

[0054] Also as illustrated, the discovery phase 430 of the exemplary message exchange 300 may comprise the service discovery phase 322 and the detailed service discovery phase 324. Similarly, the session management phase 440 of the Exemplary message exchange 300 may comprise the connection capability exchange phase 326, the connection configuration phase 328, and the service session phase 330.

[0055] As illustrated, P2P, NAN, NFC, BT-LE or infrastructure discovery mechanisms can be used. Also as illustrated, each mechanism may use different protocols in different phases of the exchange of messages. For example, in some embodiments, P2P discovery mechanisms can be used. According to these embodiments, when using the P2P discovery mechanism, during the service discovery phase 322, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 may use a polling request and response protocol. In one embodiment, if the P2P discovery mechanism is used, during the detailed service discovery phase 324, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 can use a Generic Advertisement Service Request and Response ("GAS "). As illustrated, if the P2P discovery mechanism is used, during the connectivity exchange phase 326, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 may use ASP connectivity exchange request and response protocols ("CCX "), as described in this document. Also as illustrated, if the P2P discovery mechanism is used, during the connection setup phase 328, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 may use P2P group formation protocols. Furthermore, if the P2P discovery mechanism is used, during the service session phase 330, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 may use ASP coordination and service protocols.

[0056] In some embodiments, NAN discovery mechanisms can be used. According to these embodiments, during the service discovery phase 322, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 may use a discovery window service discovery frame protocol NAN ("DW-SDF"). In one embodiment, if the NAN discovery mechanism is used, during the verbose service discovery phase 324, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 can use external DW-SDF protocols. NAN discovery mechanism, during the connection capability exchange phase 326, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 may use CCX ASP request and response protocols, as described herein. Also as illustrated, if uses the NAN discovery mechanism, during the connection setup phase 328, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 can use ilize NAN Data Path Configuration Protocols ("NDP"). In addition, if the NAN discovery mechanism is used, during the service session phase 330, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 can use ASP coordination and service protocols.

[0057] In some embodiments, NFC discovery mechanisms can be used. According to these embodiments, when using the NFC discovery mechanism, during the service discovery phase 322, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 may use an ASP connection handover mechanism. In one embodiment, if the NFC discovery mechanism is used, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 may not perform the detailed service discovery phase 324. In another embodiment, the service discovery phase Verbose 324 for the NFC discovery mechanism may comprise using one or more of the verbose discovery mechanisms used for P2P, NAN, or infrastructure discovery mechanisms. As illustrated, if the NFC discovery mechanism is used, during the connection capability exchange phase 326, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 can use CCX ASP request and response protocols, as described herein. . Also as illustrated, if the NFC discovery mechanism is used, during the connection setup phase 328, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 may use one or more of the infrastructure, NAN, or P2P connection procedures. In addition, if the NFC discovery mechanism is used, during the service session phase 330, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 can use ASP coordination and service protocols.

BT-LE discovery mechanisms can be used in some embodiments. According to these embodiments, when using the BT-LE discovery mechanism, during the service discovery phase 322, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 may use a BT-LE ASP discovery mechanism. In one embodiment, if the BT-LE discovery mechanism is used, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 may not perform the detailed service discovery phase 324. In another embodiment, the discovery phase Verbose service 324 for the BT-LE discovery mechanism may comprise using one or more of the verbose discovery mechanisms used for P2P, NAN, or infrastructure discovery mechanisms. As illustrated, if the BT-LE discovery mechanism is used, during the connection capacity exchange phase 326, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 can use CCX ASP request and response protocols, as described in present document. Also as illustrated, if the BT-LE discovery mechanism is used, during the connection setup phase 328, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 can use one or more of the P2P, NAN, or network connection procedures. infrastructure. Furthermore, if the BT-LE discovery mechanism is used, during the service session phase 330, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 may use ASP coordination and service protocols.

In some embodiments, existing infrastructure discovery mechanisms can be used. According to these embodiments, when using the infrastructure discovery mechanism, during the service discovery phase 322, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 can use an ASP version 2 infrastructure discovery mechanism. One embodiment, if the infrastructure discovery mechanism is used, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 can also carry out the detailed service discovery phase 324 using the ASP version 2 infrastructure discovery mechanisms. As illustrated, if the Infrastructure discovery mechanism is used, during the connection capacity exchange phase 326, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 can use request and CCX ASP response, as described in this document. Also as illustrated, if the Infrastructure discovery mechanism is used, during the connection setup phase 328, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 may use one or more of the infrastructure, NAN, or P2P connection procedures. In addition, if the infrastructure discovery mechanism is used, during the service session phase 330, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 can use ASP coordination and service protocols. In various embodiments, the protocols illustrated in Table 400 may additionally or alternatively comprise other protocols.

[0060] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary flow chart 500 depicting the exemplary message exchange of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment. In various respects, flow chart 500 may correspond to a tree of procedures that can be performed by a device attempting to obtain a service, such as subscriber device 304 of FIG. 3. As illustrated, the subscriber device 304 may begin with the service discovery phase 322, which may discover a provider device 302 (eg, through an ASP), through a first discovery protocol, such as BT-LE, P2P, NAN, existing infrastructure protocols or NFC discovery protocols. As part of the service discovery phase 322 or as part of the detailed service discovery phase 324, the subscriber device 304 may obtain additional information about the service through a second discovery protocol, such as P2P, NAN, or discovery of existing infrastructure. For example, as illustrated, in the detailed service discovery phase 324, if the subscriber device 304 used BT-LE first in the service discovery phase 322, it may later use one or more of the P2P, NAN or Existing Infrastructure Discovery for more information about the service. In some respects, this change from BT-LE to another protocol is due to the fact that a limited amount of information can be provided by means of the BT-LE protocol. For example, if the subscriber device 304 first tries to obtain a provider of a service that comprises playing audio using BT-LE, a provider device 302 may only be able to respond with an indication that it is a headset that supports audio. However, the subscriber device 304 may benefit from having more information about the service provided and therefore may use another protocol to obtain this information.

As illustrated, once the subscriber device 304 has selected a provider device 302 to provide the service, the connection capacity exchange phase 326 occurs, and the subscriber device 304 can select one of the available protocols. As illustrated, after making a selection in the connection capacity exchange phase 326, the subscriber device 304 proceeds to the connection configuration phase 328 if P2P or NAN is selected. Once the connection configuration phase 328 is complete, the subscriber device 304 proceeds to the service session phase 330. If the existing infrastructure protocol is selected in the connection capacity exchange phase 326, the subscriber device 304 You can skip the connection setup phase 328 and go directly to the service session phase 330, since a connection may exist between the devices.

[0062] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary structure of a connection capability exchange message 600, in accordance with one embodiment. As illustrated, the interchangeability message 600 comprises a one-octet attribute ID field 602, a two-octet length field 604, a one-octet P2P connectability field 606, an identifier field 608 six-byte infrastructure basic service set (BSSID), a six-byte media access control (MAC) address field 610, a two-byte NAN grouping ID field 612, and a NAN interface field 614 six-octets. In various aspects, the number of octets or bits contained in each of the illustrated fields may be less or greater. In various aspects, the connectivity exchange message 600 may be transmitted alone, or it may be transmitted as part of another message. In some aspects, the connection capability exchange message 600 may contain more or fewer fields. For example, if the device transmitting the connectivity exchange message 600 does not support one or more of the possible protocols, the connectivity exchange message 600 may be shorter in length, and otherwise it may provide an indication that the protocol is not supported.

According to one embodiment, the attribute ID field 602 may comprise information identifying the interchangeability message 600. For example, the attribute ID field 602 may contain an indication of the value " 23 "according to one embodiment, so that any device that interprets the connection capacity exchange message 600 will be able to determine that the message is a connection capacity exchange message.

According to one embodiment, the length field 604 may comprise an indication of the length of the connection capacity exchange message 600, or an indication of the length of the remaining fields in the capacity exchange message connection 600. According to one embodiment, the P2P connection capacity field 606 may comprise an indication of whether the device transmitting the connection capacity exchange message 600 supports P2P connectivity.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the infrastructure BSSID field 608 may comprise an indication of the BSSID of the associated AP 104 of the device that transmits the connection capacity exchange message 600. Enter a value in the BSSID field Infrastructure 608 may indicate that the device transmitting the interchangeability message 600 supports the existing infrastructure protocol by using the BSSID of the AP 104, as described herein. In some respects, if the infrastructure BSSID field 608 is null, this may indicate that the device transmitting the interchangeability message 600 does not support the existing infrastructure protocol by using the BSSID of the AP 104.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the MAC address field 610 may comprise a MAC address of the device that transmits the interchangeability message 600. Entering a value in the MAC address field 610 may indicate that the The device transmitting the Connectivity Exchange Message 600 supports the existing infrastructure protocol by using its MAC address, as described in this document. In some respects, if the MAC address field 610 is null, this may indicate that the device transmitting the interchangeability message 600 does not support the existing infrastructure protocol by using its MAC address.

According to one embodiment, the NAN cluster ID field 612 may comprise an indication of the NAN cluster ID with which the device transmitting the connection capability exchange message 600 is associated. The value in the NAN Pool ID field 612 may indicate that the device transmitting the Connectivity Exchange message 600 supports the NAN protocol by using the NAN Pool ID, as described herein. In some respects, if the NAN Pool ID 612 field is null, this may indicate that the device does not support the NAN protocol by using a NAN Pool ID.

According to one embodiment, the NAN interface field 614 can comprise a NAN MAC address of the device that transmits the connection capacity exchange message 600. Entering a value in the NAN interface field 614 can indicate that the device transmitting the Connectivity Exchange message 600 supports the NAN protocol by using its NAN MAC address, as described in this document. In some respects, if the NAN interface field 614 is null, this may indicate that the device transmitting the interchangeability message 600 does not support the NAN protocol by using its NAN MAC address.

[0069] FIG. 7 illustrates another call flow diagram for an exemplary message exchange 700 between a provider device 302 and a subscriber device 304, in accordance with one embodiment. Similar to message exchange 300 of FIG. 3, the exchange of messages 700 may be between the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 that uses ASPs 308 and 314 to provide and obtain services 306 and 312. As illustrated, the provider device 302 can publish or announce 710 information about of service 306 using ASP 308. Similarly, subscriber device 304 may subscribe to or search 716 for service 312 using ASP 314. Prior to, or as part of, the exchange of messages 700, provider device 302 and device Subscriber 304 can perform a discovery message exchange, as described herein. After this, the subscriber device 304 can initiate a connection session 718.

As illustrated, the subscriber device 304, through ASP 314, transmits a connection capacity exchange request 720. In some respects, the connection capacity exchange request 720 may be similar to the exchange message connection capacity 600 of FIG. 6. If the connection capacity exchange request 720 provides information similar to the connection capacity exchange message 600, then after receiving the connection capacity exchange request 720, the provider device 302 may select a topology 722 to provide the service 306 to the subscriber device 304. After this, the selected topology may be indicated in a connection capacity exchange response 724. After receiving the selected topology in the connection capacity exchange response 724, the subscriber device 304 can initiate a connection setup on the selected topology 728. For example, in one embodiment, the subscriber device 304 may initiate a P2P connection with the provider device 302 by forming or joining a P2P group with the provider device 302. In another embodiment, the subscriber device 304 may initiate a NAN connection with the d Provider device 302 forming or joining a NAN data path with provider device 302. In yet another embodiment, subscriber device 304 may use an existing infrastructure connection to provider device 302 using one or more of the infrastructure BSSID or the MAC address provided. After this, the provider device 302 and the subscriber device 304 can enter an ASP or service session 730, as described herein. For example, the subscriber device 304 and the provider device 302 can exchange data using the session established by receiving and / or providing data respectively, to obtain the requested service.

In another embodiment, the connection capacity exchange request 720 may indicate a request for the provider device 302 to provide information about the connection protocols available to provide the service 306. If the capacity exchange request connection 720 indicates in change the request regarding connection capacity information, then the provider device 302 can generate a message similar to the connection capacity exchange message 600 of FIG. 6, and may transmit the generated message as the 724 connectivity exchange response. In some aspects, generating a message may include allocating memory for the message and initializing data values within allocated memory according to a message format. . According to this embodiment, after receiving the connection capacity exchange response 724, the subscriber device 304 can select a topology 726 to receive the service 306 from the provider device 302. After selecting the topology, the subscriber device 304 and the provider device 302 can connect and receive / provide data as described above, depending on the selected topology.

[0072] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary communication method 800 in a wireless communication network, in accordance with one embodiment. Procedure 800 may contain a greater or lesser number of steps than illustrated, and the steps can be performed in a different order.

[0073] In step 805, a first wireless device transmits a connection capability request message to a second wireless device requesting connection capability information from the second wireless device. One or both of the first and second wireless devices may be similar to the wireless device 202 of FIG. 2, or to one of the STA 106 or the AP 104 of FIG. 1. In some aspects, the connection capability request message may be transmitted prior to association. In some aspects, the method 800 may further comprise discovering the second wireless device, by the first wireless device, prior to transmitting the connection capability request message, during a service discovery phase. In some aspects, process 800 will execute a first discovery phase in accordance with a first discovery mechanism as part of the service discovery phase. A second discovery phase can be run according to a second discovery mechanism, in which the first discovery phase runs before the second discovery phase. In one embodiment, the second discovery mechanism is capable of providing more detailed discovery data than the first discovery mechanism. In one embodiment, the first discovery mechanism comprises a Sluetooth low-energy discovery mechanism, and the second discovery mechanism comprises one or more of a peer-to-peer discovery mechanism, a peer-to-peer discovery mechanism, a peer-to-peer discovery mechanism. neighbors, a near-field communication discovery mechanism, and an existing infrastructure protocol.

[0074] In some aspects, a device may first utilize a low power discovery mechanism, such as Sluetooth LE. The low power discovery mechanism can provide some information about the service, but not necessarily all the information needed to use the service. For example, some low-power discovery mechanisms may discover service information that indicates that the service requires a data connection to obtain data from the service. However, the low-power discovery mechanism may not provide the information necessary to actually establish the connection. For example, the lowest power discovery mechanism may provide information required to initiate a second discovery mechanism, but may not provide information required to establish a data connection to obtain data from the service. For example, the lowest power discovery mechanism can provide the information shown in FIG. 6 and discussed above. However, the lowest power discovery mechanism may not provide one or more than one protocol, destination port or service access point, or Internet Protocol (IP) address, at least one of the which may be necessary to establish data communication with the service.

[0075] If a service discovered via the lowest power discovery mechanism requires a data connection, then a Wi-Fi interface can be used to identify additional information needed to establish the data connection, such as one or more than one protocol (for example, UDP or TCP), a destination port or service access point, or an Internet Protocol (IP) address. Wi-Fi-based discovery can use an existing infrastructure network, a peer-to-peer network, or a neighbor awareness network (NAN) as described above.

[0076] In step 810, the first wireless communication device receives a reconnectability response message from the second wireless device, indicating one or more communication protocols available to provide a service to the first wireless device. In some aspects, the one or more communication protocols comprise one or more of a neighbor recognition interconnection protocol, a peer-to-peer protocol, and an existing infrastructure protocol. In some aspects, the connection capability response message comprises one or more of an attribute identifier, a length of the connection capability response message, a basic service set identifier of an access point associated with the first wireless device. , a media access control address of the first wireless device, an identifier of a Neighbor Recognition Interconnect Cluster (NAN) that includes the first wireless device, and a NAN interface identifier of the first wireless device. For example, the connectability response message may include one or more of the informational fields described above with respect to FIG. 6. In several respects, the first wireless device uses an application service platform to transmitting the connection capacity request message and receiving the connection capacity response message. For example, the first wireless device can use a protocol defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance Application Service Platform 2.0 to perform the second discovery phase.

[0077] Optionally, in step 815 (illustrated by dashed lines), the first wireless device selects, based at least in part on the connectability response message, a communication protocol to obtain the service of the second wireless device. In some aspects, the method 800 may further comprise initiating, by the first wireless device, an association procedure with the second wireless device using the selected communication protocol. Associating with the second wireless device may include transmitting an association request to the second wireless device, and receiving a association response from the second wireless device, where the response indicates that a successful association has been made. In some aspects, the method 800 may further comprise receiving, via the first wireless device, the service from the second wireless device using the selected communication protocol.

[0078] One skilled in the art will understand that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols and segments that may have been mentioned throughout the above description can be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, fields or particles. optics or any combination thereof.

Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but is to be granted the broadest scope consistent with the claims, principles, and novel features disclosed herein. The word "example" is used exclusively herein in the sense of "serving as an example, case or illustration." Any implementation described herein as an "example" is not necessarily to be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other implementations.

[0080] Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of independent implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations, separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Furthermore, although the characteristics may have been previously described as acting in certain combinations, and even initially claimed as such, one or more characteristics of a claimed combination may in some cases be removed from the combination, and the claimed combination may be oriented to a sub-combination, or variation of a subcombination.

[0081] The various operations of the procedures described above can be performed by any suitable means capable of performing the operations, such as various hardware and / or software components, circuits and / or modules. In general, any operation illustrated in the figures can be performed by corresponding functional means capable of performing the operations. For example, in various aspects, the transmission means may comprise a transmitter and / or an associated processor, such as one or more of transmitter 210, transceiver 214, antenna 216, DSP 220, processor 204, memory 206 , or their functional equivalents, as described herein. In some aspects, the receiving means may comprise an associated receiver and / or processor, such as one or more of the receiver 212, the transceiver 214, the antenna 216, the signal detector 218, the DSP 220, the processor 204, the Memory 206, or its functional equivalents, as described herein. In some aspects, the selection means may comprise a processor and / or associated circuitry, such as one or more of DSP 220, processor 204, memory 206, or their functional equivalents, as described herein.

[0082] The various illustrative logic blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with this disclosure can be implemented or realized with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) a programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device (PLD), or transistor logic , discrete gate discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor but, alternatively, the processor can be any commercially available processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors together with a DSP core or any other such configuration.

In one or more aspects, the described functions can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions can be stored on, or transmitted by, a computer-readable medium such as one or more instructions or codes. The media readable by Computer includes both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage devices, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to transport or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is appropriately called a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a web page, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies, such as infrared, radio, and microwave, are included in the definition of medium. Discs, as used herein, include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disc, and Blu-ray disc, where some discs play normally data magnetically and others reproduce data optically with lasers. Thus, in some aspects, a computer-readable medium may comprise a non-transitory computer-readable medium (eg, tangible media). Furthermore, in some aspects, a computer-readable medium may comprise a transient, computer-readable medium (eg, a sign). Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0084] The procedures disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions to achieve the described procedure. The process steps and / or actions can be interchanged without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the order and / or use of specific steps and / or actions can be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the modules and / or other appropriate means to perform the procedures and techniques described herein can be downloaded and / or otherwise obtained by a user terminal and / or a base station, as appropriate. For example, such a device can be attached to a server to facilitate the transfer of media to perform the procedures described herein. Alternatively, various methods described herein may be provided via storage media (eg, RAM, ROM, a physical storage medium such as a compact disc (CD) or floppy disk, etc.), so that a user terminal and / or a base station can obtain the various procedures after coupling or providing the storage media to the device. In addition, any other suitable technique can be used to provide a device with the procedures and techniques described herein.

Although the foregoing is directed to aspects of the present disclosure, different and additional aspects of the disclosure may be contemplated without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope of the disclosure is determined by the following claims.

Claims (15)

1. A communication method in a wireless communication network, comprising: transmitting, via a first wireless device (304), a discovery message seeking a second wireless device (302) to provide a service (306, 312); receiving, by the first wireless device (304), a discovery response message from the second wireless device (302) that provides information (310) about the service (306, 312); deciding, based on the information (310), whether to proceed to obtain the service (306, 312) from the second wireless device (302), or whether to obtain additional information (310) about the service (306, 312); transmit, via the first wireless device (304), a service discovery message to the second wireless device (302) as part of a detailed service discovery process, to obtain additional information (310) about the service (306, 312) provided by the second device (302) when the first wireless device decides to obtain additional information; receiving, by the first wireless device (304), a service discovery response message from the second wireless device (302) as part of the detailed service discovery process, which provides additional information (310) about the service (306, 312); determining, by means of the first wireless device (304), whether to proceed with obtaining the service (306, 312) based on, at least in part, the additional information (310); transmit (805), by means of the first wireless device (304), a connection capacity request message to the second wireless device (302), requesting connection capacity information from the second wireless device (302) when it is determined to proceed to obtain the service; and receiving (810), via the first wireless device (304), a connection capability response message from the second wireless device (302), indicating one or more communication protocols available to provide the service (306, 312) to the first wireless device (304). 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selecting (815), by means of the first wireless device (304), based on, at least in part, the connection capability response message, a communication protocol to obtain the service (306, 312) of the second wireless device ( 302). 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: initiate, by means of the first wireless device (304), an association procedure with the second wireless device (302) using the selected communication protocol. 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising: receiving, via the first wireless device (304), the service (310, 312) from the second wireless device (302) using the selected communication protocol. The method of claim 1, wherein the connection capability request message is transmitted prior to association. The method of claim 1, wherein the connectability response message comprises one or more of an attribute identifier (602), a length (604) of the connectability response message, an identifier of set of basic services (608) of an access point associated with the second wireless device (302), a media access control address (610) of the second wireless device (302), an identifier of an interconnection group of recognition of neighbors, NAN, (612) that includes the second wireless device (302), and a NAN interface identifier (614) of the second wireless device (302). The method of claim 1, wherein a first discovery protocol comprised of the discovery message and the discovery response message comprises a Bluetooth low energy discovery mechanism, and wherein a second discovery protocol comprised in the detailed service discovery message and the detailed service discovery response message comprises one or more of a peer-to-peer discovery mechanism, a neighbor awareness interconnection discovery mechanism, a communication discovery mechanism near field and an existing infrastructure protocol. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more communication protocols comprise one or more of a neighbor recognition interconnection protocol, a peer-to-peer protocol, and an existing infrastructure protocol. 9. A first wireless device (304) for communication in a wireless communication network, comprising: means for transmitting a discovery message seeking a second wireless device (302) to provide a service (306, 312); means for receiving a discovery response message from the second wireless device (302) providing information (310) about the service (306, 312); means for deciding, based on the information (310), whether to proceed to obtain the service (306, 312) from the second wireless device (302), or whether to obtain additional information (310) about the service (306, 312); means for transmitting a service discovery message to the second wireless device (302) as part of a detailed service discovery process, to obtain additional information (310) about the service (306, 312) provided by the second device (302) when the first wireless device decides to obtain additional information; means for receiving a service discovery response message from the second wireless device (302) as part of the detailed service discovery process, providing additional information (310) about the service (306, 312); means for determining whether to proceed with obtaining the service (306, 312) based on, at least in part, the additional information (310); means for transmitting (805) a connection capacity request message to the second wireless device (302), requesting connection capacity information from the second wireless device (302) when it is determined that the service is obtained; Y means for receiving (810) a connectability response message from the second wireless device (302), indicating one or more communication protocols available to provide service to the apparatus (304). The first wireless device of claim 9, further comprising means for selecting (815) based on, at least in part, the connectability response message, a communication protocol to obtain the service (306, 312 ) of the second wireless device (302). 11. A communication method in a wireless communication network, comprising: receiving, by means of a second wireless device (302), a discovery message from a first wireless device (304), where the discovery message searches for a service (306, 312) from the second wireless device (302); generating, by the second wireless device (302), a discovery response message that provides information (310) about the service (306, 312) to the first wireless device (304); and transmitting, via the second wireless device (302), the discovery response message to the first wireless device (304); receiving, via the second wireless device (302), a service discovery message from the first wireless device (304), as part of a detailed service discovery process, where the service discovery message looks for additional information (310) about the service (306, 312) of the second wireless device (302); generating, by the second wireless device (302), a service discovery response message as part of the detailed service discovery process, which provides additional information (310) about the service (306, 312) to the first wireless device (304 ); Y transmitting, via the second wireless device (302), the detailed service discovery response message to the first wireless device (304); receiving, by means of the second wireless device (302), a connection capacity request message from the first wireless device (304), where the connection capacity request message requests connection capacity information from the second wireless device (302) ; generating, by means of the second wireless device (302), a reachability response message indicating one or more communication protocols available to provide the service (306, 312) to the first wireless device (304); Y transmitting, by means of the second wireless device (302), the connection capacity response message to the first wireless device (304). The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving, by the second wireless device (302), an indication of a communication protocol selected by the first wireless device (304). The method of claim 12, further comprising associating with the first wireless device (304), via the second wireless device (302), via an association procedure using the selected communication protocol. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing, via the second wireless device (302), the service (306, 312) to the first wireless device (304) using the selected communication protocol. 15. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor of a first wireless device, cause the processor to carry out the method of any of claims 1 to 8 or which, when executed by a processor of a second wireless device, cause the processor to perform the method of any of claims 11 to 14.